Gervais Montacute Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Anyone tried one, or indeed has one? What's the verdict so far? (I'm beginning to sound like Jeff!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Limb Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 No; but many years ago when starting my freelance career I was told, and I have stuck by it, that no zoom should be more than 2.5x the wide angle, or the optics will be poor. So on an 80mm the maximum zoom should be 200mm!!Take a look at the Professional lens range from Nikon and they almost all fit this criteria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSnapper Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 yes i have one it's my go-to lens for general news work....... km the image of mine, which was Alamy's iPad app choice for yesterday, was made with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I really, really want this one and don't know if I will manage the cost. I have the old one and, yes, it is slow to focus and not the sharpest lens but it has been perfect for me. I love to shoot wildlife (with a camera) and I am not a big guy with strong hands so I need a long telephoto I can handle. Apparently the new version is half a pound heavier and is longer but I think I still could probably manage it. Anyway, I am usually using that lens on a tripod or beanbag. A photographer I've traveled with who knows I use the 80-400 has bought the new one and loves it. The focus is faster and it is sharper than the old one. I hope I can eventually manage the cost and also manage the lens reasonably well. Paulette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSnapper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 and also, unlike the old version, the new one will accept the TC14/TC17/TC20's.......so , in extremis, when you absolutely need to to get something on job, you can take this up to an 800mm...... km Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gervais Montacute Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 That's great Keith. Have you any others that really show how sharp the lens is? And what are you using it on? D700 or 800? I just am just a bit not sure about the apertures on what is technically quite a slow lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSnapper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 On a D4.... km Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSnapper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 http://www.artswebwales.com/oriel/bigpic.asp?picID=1504&catID=11 and a detail from this image: http://www.artswebwales.com/oriel/bigpic.asp?picID=1505&catID=11 at 400mm, f6.3 1/30 km Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Park Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I sold mine recently as I found it too slow. Purchased a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR in its place, which I prefer as a better option for my work. Also have a teleconverter if needs be to extend it, though I also use larger prime Nikkors more often at the 300-400mm range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHill Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 "http://www.artswebwales.com/oriel/bigpic.asp?picID=1504&catID=11 and a detail from this image: http://www.artswebwales.com/oriel/bigpic.asp?picID=1505&catID=11 at 400mm, f6.3 1/30 km" Interesting. Looking at the louvres in the tower in the detail shot, I'd probably (mistakenly) not submit that to Alamy for fear of a QC rejection. Should I change my standards - or am I missing something? Keith - you know what you're doing better than most! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSnapper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 this is not an Alamy photo...just me seeing how far i could go to get a useable image...not a stock image 400mm @ 1/30s hand held is a bit impressive km Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHill Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 this is not an Alamy photo...just me seeing how far i could go to get a useable image...not a stock image 400mm @ 1/30s hand held is a bit impressive km I see - thanks. Modern VR can do a great job, can't it! Impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustydingo Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 this is not an Alamy photo...just me seeing how far i could go to get a useable image...not a stock image 400mm @ 1/30s hand held is a bit impressive km I see - thanks. Modern VR can do a great job, can't it! Impressive. I think there's a teeny weeny bit more than just VR involved in hand-holding a 400 at 1/30. dd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Price Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I have this lens, I find it quite good and use it primarily at dusk/dawn often hand held. The vibration reduction is great. I generally don't use it if I have to increase iso over 400. I would have purchased a prime lens, but I would have to drive about 25 000km to earn enough to get one (I drive a semi in my spare time). I would put up an image, but can not figure out how to Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSnapper Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 this lens is much much lighter than the equivalent 400mm prime......and more flexible. I know i can get a 400 equivalent by sticking the 2x on my 70-200 but that gives me a short end that's 140mm , which is a bit too long..... as always, it a compromise.....but i'm happy to have this in my collection.....and it more than pays its way.... km Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gervais Montacute Posted September 27, 2013 Author Share Posted September 27, 2013 OK that's very good Keith and thanks once again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhandol Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Here's a pretty decent take on this new afs version of the 80-400: http://blog.mingthein.com/2013/05/02/lens-review-the-nikon-af-s-80-4004-5-5-6-g-ed-vr-ii-n/ I've had the old one for the past 5 years, I always use it on a monopod when wondering around or with a tripod when doing video with VR off. It's a lovely lens when used by competant long lens photographers, I find this lens is perfectly sharp upto 370mm provided the shutter speed is kept on the fast side (faster the better) I'd get the new one in a flash if they took trade-in's and if it wasn't so expensive. Or you could spend less and get the Canon 100-400 + Crop Sensor Body. (Maybe someone from nikon marketing will see this post and get their price down before some of us jump ship!) Parm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCat Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Every review I've read says the tripod collar is no good. Really Right Stuff has one -- for $235 -- as if the lens didn't cost too much already. I still really, really want one. Paulette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhandol Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yes that's true, the collar does require improvment. This looks abit crude but a couple of years ago I found that sticking a small wooden block on top of the foot of the collar helps greatly to improve stability and image sharpness as it cradles the lens further down the barrel. As shown in this pic: Kirk have a replacement collar for $159.95 : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/555391-REG/Kirk_NC_80_400_NC80_400_Replacement_Lens_Collar.html also available from Wex :http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-kirk-replacement-lens-collar-for-nikon-80-400mm-f4/p1006394 Why on earth can't nikon make decent lens collars anymore? Parm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty LaRue Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I had the old one for years. I could tease some great images from it, but it often hunted a lot, which I didn't like when shooting birds. I missed a lot of shots because of that. Tail feathers exciting the frame....as the focus finally found a limb. Kidding. I now have the new one, and it is a great lens. Love the focus snap, and the images are much sharper. If someone said I had to go back to the other, I would be depressed. Taking 100 shots of birds with each, my keeper range is probably double what it was with the old one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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